What is it?

That race always ends with a new application which requires a beefier machine and that's the true digital circle of life.

The trick is to invest in an affordable computer that can stave off the inevitable for as long as possible and that's exactly what Dell believe they've developed in the shape of the XPS 13.

Good Points?

Equipped with the latest seventh generation Intel i5-7200U processor giving up to 3.1 GHz, the XPS 13 has more than enough brain power to run even the most demanding applications.

The superb battery makes this laptop very portable and allows genuine freedom from being tied down by power cables typical of the experience with lesser brands. A 256GB solid state drive provides ample storage for all your documents and videos without compromising on access speeds.

Bad points?

I can't quite fathom Dell's decision to opt for a mere 8GB of memory which will limit the responsiveness of the high-end programs and makes the price tag seem over-inflated.

Best for ...

Those who are looking to replace a creaking laptop with a quality piece of equipment that will last. Ideal for those who can get their hands on some cheap RAM to upgrade from 8GB to 16GB.

Avoid if ...

You want to be limited only by your imagination as Photoshop users will get frustrated very quickly with the lack of random access memory.

Score: 7/10

Dell XPS 13, £1,149 (dell.com)